Rachel Fernandes,TNN | May 13, 2014, 03.18 AM IST
Like most villages in Goa, Nachionala, too, is peaceful and quiet, nestled cozily between Aldona, Moira and Ucassaim. Like most villages it, too, faces its own battles like the garbage menace, a growing stray dog population, etc. However, it also faces a rather unique problem. The village, made up of 5,000-odd villagers, is divided into seven wards at the panchayat level. But none of these wards are clearly defined. Some of the wards are demarcated in such an irregular manner that part of the ward lies on one side of the Aldona-Mapusa main road which runs through the village, while another part is near the Nachinola church, and yet another part is in close vicinity to the Ucassaim border. This creates immense chaos and confusion, especially during panchayat elections.
The problem is further escalated when, post the elections, the elected ward member lives in one area, but part of the ward he/she represents is in a completely different place. Consequently, the ward member is not able to focus on ensuring the development of the entire ward and some areas inadvertently remain neglected.
"It is a huge problem. More than anything else, there is a breakdown of duty and responsibility. With ward members often being at a distance from the ward they represent and the wards themselves being spread out all over the place, they are not able to focus on what needs to be done, the problems existing, etc. Villagers from that ward have to depend on a few people to inform the elected panch about the issues. Consequently, there is delay in taking appropriate remedial measures," laments Donna D'Souza, a resident of ward three.
Seeing the chaos this mess-up is creating and an evident lack of concern from authorities concerned to rectify the problem, a few villagers have taken it upon themselves to get this problem sorted out urgently, as soon as before the next panchayat elections slated for 2017.
One among them is Fr Dominic D'Cruz. He explains that the group undertook a mapping of the village where they marked out the registered addresses of each voter of each ward, thus indicating clearly the extent of the problem. "We realized that, thanks to this mess in ward division, residents are uncertain about which ward they are a part of. Consequently, they weren't sure about who was representing their ward at the elections and who to vote for. In fact, the problem is so bad that in some cases, from one house itself, a few members are part of one ward, a few in another and a few in a third," he explains.
These maps in hand, the group, approached the Nachinola panchayat and through them the directorate of panchayats and the block development officer seeking remedial action. They are still awaiting a solution.
Speaking about this problem, Ramakant Anvekar, a resident of ward one, says the explanation given for this mess in geographical demarcation is that the numbers of voters need to be balanced out in each ward. While his ward, number one, lies on the border of Aldona, part of it is near the temple. "Wards need to be mapped geographically. The real issue arises when it comes to ward development. Ward members have to run helter-skelter. If something is done in one part of the ward, there is a risk of the other part being neglected simply because it is located elsewhere," he says. He adds that this issue needs to be rectified on an urgent basis and should be handed over to a competent independent authority to ensure that a proper job is done.
On his part, Nachinola sarpanch Laxman Kerkar, representing ward four, says the panchayat is working hard to ensure an early solution to this problem. "Using the mapping done by concerned villagers as a base, we have already written and dispatched letters to authorities concerned requesting an urgent and systematic division of the village ward-wise." He laments the snail's pace at which work gets done in government offices.
Explaining the issue of people from the same house falling into different wards, he says, "The problem is that every time new voters' names have to be included, the main consideration while adding their names to wards is balancing out the voters across all the seven wards. Their residence is not really taken into consideration."
Aldona MLA Glenn Souza Ticlo is "well aware" of this problem and says he is working towards settling the chaos. "I don't really know the reason or purpose why it is like this, but I have already started the task of rectification," he says. Asked if there's a timeline for completing the task, he says, "That depends on when the notification is done by the authorities concerned."
Problem Problem
Migrant influx
Nachinola is witnessing an influx of migrant labourers, an issue that has become a major source of worry for many. Several villagers have built illegal hutments or structures in their compounds and are renting these out to the labourers. Sans toilet facilities, the labourers resort to defecating in the open. The sarpanch is worried as a majority of these tenants are not listed with the panchayat and do not have the mandated police clearance.
No market
The village lacks its own market, especially for essential commodities. Villagers have to travel to Aldona or Mapusa for shopping. Ramakant Anvekar says plans for a village market in the vicinity of the panchayat building are yet to take shape.
Dirty drains
While the panchayat has meticulously undertaken the task of constructing stormwater drains along most roads in the village, there is little or no focus on cleaning them of debris such as dry leaves, paper, plastic, etc especially before the monsoon. The sarpanch blames this on lack of funds. "We are not a cash rich panchayat and the funds allotted are not sufficient to undertake all development tasks. I wish more money was allocated for the same," he said.
Top View
Using the mapping done by concerned villagers as a base, we have already written to authorities concerned requesting an urgent and systematic division of the village ward-wise
Laxman Kerkar, sarpanch
I don't really know the reason or purpose why it is like this, but I have already started the task of rectification. The timeline depends on when the notification is done by authorities concerned
Glenn Souza Ticlo, Aldona MLA
People's Take
There is a breakdown of duty and responsibility. Panchas are not able to focus on what needs to be done. Villagers have to depend on a few people informing their elected panch about their issues. Consequently, there is delay in redressal
Donna D'Souza, resident of ward three
Thanks to this mess in ward division, residents are uncertain about which ward they are in, who their representative is and during elections who to vote for. The problem is so bad that in some cases members of the same house are in three different wards
Fr Dominic D'Cruz, resident of ward four
Wards have to be mapped geographically. Issues arise when it comes to ward development. Panchas have to run helter-skelter. If something is done in one part of the ward, there is risk of the other part being neglected simply because it is located elsewhere
Ramakant Anvekar, panch of ward one
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Development-in-disarray/articleshow/35036758.cms
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